Kennywood
Address
4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122, United States
Country
usa
Website
https://www.kennywood.com/Opening Hours
Daily 11:00-22:00 (seasonal operation May-October, hours vary)
Popularity
**🎡 #1 Historic American Amusement Park | National Historic Landmark** - **1+ million annual visitors** experiencing American amusement park history - **125+ years of operation** since 1898 - National Historic Landmark - **Legendary wooden coaster collection** featuring historic classics - **Pittsburgh's beloved tradition** serving generations of families - **Authentic amusement park atmosphere** unchanged by time
America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park
Kennywood stands as the crown jewel of American amusement parks, designated as a National Historic Landmark and representing the purest form of traditional amusement park experience. Located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, this beloved park has been creating magical memories since 1898 while maintaining its authentic charm and historic character.
🏛️ National Historic Landmark Status
Kennywood achieved National Historic Landmark designation in 1987, recognizing:
- Outstanding collection of historic rides from the golden age
- Intact traditional amusement park layout and atmosphere
- Continuous operation for over 125 years
- Cultural significance to American leisure history
🎢 Legendary Wooden Coaster Collection
Kennywood is world-renowned for its exceptional wooden roller coasters:
⚡ Thunderbolt (1968) - Consistently ranked among the world's best wooden coasters, featuring a unique terrain design that utilizes natural ravines for dramatic drops and airtime.
🎠 Jack Rabbit (1920) - Historic wooden coaster famous for its double-dip element that creates incredible airtime, operating for over 100 years.
🌊 Racer (1927) - Classic racing wooden coaster with two parallel tracks providing side-by-side competition.
👻 Phantom's Revenge (2001) - Modern steel hypercoaster built around the classic Thunderbolt, featuring 228-foot height and 85 mph speeds.
🎡 Historic Flat Rides and Attractions
🎠 Dentzel Carousel (1926) - Beautifully restored antique carousel with hand-carved horses and original band organ music.
🎪 Turtle (1927) - Historic spinning ride that has delighted families for nearly a century.
🚗 Auto Race (1930) - Vintage car ride allowing guests to "drive" classic automobiles around a banked track.
🍟 Iconic Kennywood Food
The park is famous for its traditional amusement park cuisine:
- - Legendary fresh-cut potato fries
Attractions in Kennywood
Thunderbolt
⚡ Terrain Coaster Masterpiece
Thunderbolt is universally acclaimed as one of the world's greatest wooden roller coasters, utilizing Kennywood's natural ravine terrain to create an unparalleled coaster experience.
🏔️ Terrain Integration
- Natural ravine utilization for dramatic elevation changes
- 95-foot height enhanced by terrain drops
- 55 mph speed through wooded valleys
- Unique layout working with rather than against landscape
🎢 Classic Elements
- Double down - signature element providing intense airtime
- Terrain following - track hugs natural hillsides
- Multiple direction changes utilizing natural features
- Traditional wooden construction with modern safety
Consistently ranked as one of the world's best wooden coasters for over 50 years.